Disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method

ABSTRACT

A disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method includes a device that combines a toothbrush with a changeable head assembly connected to a body assembly that is filled with toothpaste for single or multi use. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method is useful for improving the convenience of brushing teeth at home or while away from home by offering the convenience of a tooth brush filled with toothpaste with advantages for venting while filling and sealing toothpaste from hardening or drying out.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of brushes and more specifically relates to toothbrush art.

2. Description of Related Art

Brushing teeth is a common health maintenance task in addition to a socially acceptable act of hygiene. The task involves using a tooth brush where the bristles are ‘loaded’ with toothpaste. The tooth brush and toothpaste are common items in bathroom toiletries as well as portable for remote use. Carrying both a tooth brush and toothpaste separately is space consuming and prone to leaving one or the other item behind. A suitable solution is required.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,393 to Martin and Erb relates to a refillable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush. The described a refillable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush includes a toothpaste containing capsule for dispensing toothpaste through the bristle head of the toothbrush.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known toothbrush art, the present disclosure provides a novel disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method.

Disclosed is a device that combines a toothbrush with a changeable head assembly connected to a body assembly that is filled with toothpaste for single or multi use. The user simply fills the hollow chamber with his/her favorite toothpaste, inserts the twist cap, gives it a twist or two and the paste is pushed up through a plurality of holes at the base of the bristles in the head of the brush. Tooth paste is pushed up onto the bristles and ready for teeth cleaning through the action of twisting the twist cap. In the single use embodiment, the hollow chamber in the toothpaste comes filled with toothpaste and ready to use. In the multi-use embodiment, toothpaste may be refillable from a tube of toothpaste or as a prepackaged, insertable cartridge.

A disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method is disclosed herein. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system includes a head assembly, a body, and a twist cap together in functional combination. According to this embodiment, the head assembly and the body are removably couplable via a receptacle and a connection mechanism. The body assembly and twist cap are removably couplable via a locking mechanism and a locking receiver. The head assembly includes a toothpaste chamber, a plurality of bristles, a plurality of openings, and a neck assembly together in functional combination. The neck assembly includes: the receptacle, and a hollow passageway together in functional combination. The body assembly preferably has at least one sealed, transparent viewing window, connection mechanism, a hollow chamber, a rotating assembly and a locking receiver together in functional combination.

Toothpaste is stored in the hollow chamber. Toothpaste passes from the hollow chamber in the body assembly to the head assembly toothpaste chamber via the hollow passageway when the user turns the twist cap. Toothpaste is inserted into and stored within the hollow chamber via an opening in the body assembly connection mechanism. The opening is sealed with the twist cap which is held in place by the locking mechanism on the twist cap and locking receiver within the body assembly.

The rotating assembly includes a screw gear having a driven mechanism and a plunger. A user activates the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system by twisting the twist cap. The twist cap rotates freely within the locking receptacle. A driving mechanism that is affixed to the twist cap drives the driven mechanism which in turn rotates the screw gear thrusting the plunger along the axial length of the screw gear. The plunger is sealed against the walls of the hollow chamber. The combination of the sealing action and the movement of the plunger axially along the screw gear forces toothpaste through the hollow chamber into the toothpaste chamber and finally out the plurality of openings where the toothpaste is distributed along the plurality of bristles. In one embodiment, the plurality of bristles are affixed to the head assembly and the plurality of openings are separate from the bristles.

In alternate embodiments, the body assembly may include a plurality of sealed, transparent viewing windows offering the advantage of backlighting the contents for determining the amount of available toothpaste.

In another embodiment of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system the plurality of openings comprise a flexible gate for enabling toothpaste to pass and venting to occur when pressure is applied from within the toothpaste chamber while returning to a sealed state for keeping toothpaste from drying and/or hardening once pressure equalizes.

According to another embodiments of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system, the plurality of bristles protrude through the plurality of openings and the plurality of bristles are affixed to a floating bar that floats on the toothpaste within the toothpaste chamber. The floating bar is sealed against the walls of the toothpaste chamber by toothpaste pressure within the toothpaste. The sealing action keeps air from drying out the toothpaste thus preventing hardening during periods of non-use. The action of pressing the bristles against the teeth moves the bristles into the toothpaste chamber which in turn moves the floating bar breaking the seal with the head assembly and forcing toothpaste to flow through the plurality of openings onto the bristles. This feature offers a further advantage by allowing venting of the toothpaste chamber when filling the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system by pushing on the bristles to break the seal and thus allow air to escape the toothpaste chamber as it is filled.

According to another embodiment the floating bar is forced against the plurality of openings by compression springs for the purposes of forming a seal between the floating bar and the plurality of openings.

According to yet another embodiment of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system, the floating bar is sealed against the walls of the toothpaste chamber via o rings on the bristles.

According to another embodiment of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system the hollow chamber may accommodate a toothpaste cartridge.

In the preferred embodiment, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system is a complete, non-refillable assembly intended for one-time use. According to another embodiment, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system has a head assembly that is sold separately for replacing due to wear or for health and cleanliness reasons.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an ‘in-use’ view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a sectioned view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is an ‘in-use’ view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to brushes with reservoir or other means for applying substances and more specifically relates to toothbrush art as used to improve the convenience of brushing teeth.

Generally speaking, disclosed is a device that combines a toothbrush with a changeable head and body that fills with toothpaste for single or multi use. The disclosure offers advantages in dispensing toothpaste as well as sealing the toothpaste from becoming hard or drying out.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4B, various views of a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100. FIG. 1 shows a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 150 by user 140, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 140 to brush teeth by providing a tooth brush that manually dispenses toothpaste. As illustrated, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 may include head assembly 120 including neck assembly 126 and body assembly 156 including at least one sealed transparent viewing window 128, and twist cap 170. User 140 twists twist cap 170 causing toothpaste to dispense from head assembly 120.

FIG. 2 shows a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 in a perspective view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 has head assembly 120, body assembly 156, and twist cap 170 together in functional combination. Head assembly 120 includes toothpaste chamber 121, plurality of bristles 122, plurality of openings 124, and neck assembly 126 having hollow passageway 132. Body assembly 156 has at least one sealed transparent viewing window 128, connection mechanism 158, and hollow chamber 160.

FIG. 3 shows a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 perspective view, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Body assembly 156 includes locking receiver 157, connection mechanism 158, at least one transparent viewing window 128, and hollow chamber 160 having rotating assembly 162, screw gear 164, plunger 166, and driven assembly 168. Head assembly 120 is removably couplable to body assembly 156 via receptacle 130 and connection mechanism 158. Twist cap 170 includes drive assembly 172 and locking mechanism 173. User 140 twists twist cap 170 initiating drive assembly 172 to drive driven assembly 168 turning screw gear 164. Plunger 166 is forced by screw gear 164 along axial direction of hollow chamber 160 pushing toothpaste into hollow passageway 132 and further into toothpaste chamber 121. Toothpaste builds pressure pushing it out plurality of openings 124 onto plurality of bristles 122.

FIG. 4A shows a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100, according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Floating bar 180 is normally sealed against toothpaste chamber 121 due to pressure from toothpaste in toothpaste chamber 121. User 140 pushes on plurality of bristles 122 breaking seal with plurality of openings 124 while twisting twist cap 170. Twisting action forces toothpaste out of unsealed plurality of openings 124. This embodiment also allows venting of air from toothpaste chamber 121 during filling with user 140 pushing down on plurality of bristles 122 to allow toothpaste chamber 121 to break seal with floating bar 180.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Floating bar 180 is normally sealed against toothpaste chamber 121. User 140 pushes disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 against teeth forcing plurality of bristles 122 inward into toothpaste chamber 121 breaking seal with plurality of openings 124. Pressure within the toothpaste chamber 121 from floating bar 180 forces toothpaste out of unsealed plurality of openings 124 onto plurality of bristles 122.

According to one embodiment, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 may further include a set of instructions 155. The instructions 155 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 (such that the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 550 showing a method of use 500 for disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method of use 500 may include one or more components or features of the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for method of use 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, filling the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100; step two 502, twisting twist cap 170; step three 503, dispensing toothpaste via the rotating assembly 162, driven assembly 172, screw gear 164, and plunger 166; and step four 504 brushing the teeth of the user.

Method of use 500 for disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system 100 may further comprise the steps of: step five 505 refilling the hollow chamber 160 with toothpaste and step six 506 replacing the head assembly 120 when worn or for cleanliness.

It should be noted that steps 505 and 506 are an optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for dispensing (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system and method, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system comprising: a head assembly having; a toothpaste chamber; a plurality of bristles; a plurality of openings; a neck assembly including; a receptacle; and a hollow passageway; a body assembly having; at least one sealed, transparent viewing window; a connection mechanism; a hollow chamber; a rotating assembly including; a screw gear having; a driven assembly; a plunger; and a locking receiver; a twist cap including; a locking mechanism; and a drive assembly; wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system includes said head assembly, said body, and said twist cap together in functional combination; wherein said head assembly and said body assembly are removably couplable via said receptacle and said connection mechanism; wherein said body assembly and said twist cap are removably couplable via said locking mechanism and said locking receiver; wherein said head assembly includes said toothpaste chamber, said plurality of bristles, said plurality of openings, and said neck assembly together in functional combination; wherein said neck assembly includes said receptacle, and said hollow passageway together in functional combination; wherein said body assembly includes said at least one sealed, transparent viewing window, said connection mechanism, said hollow chamber, said rotating assembly, and said locking receiver together in functional combination; wherein said rotating assembly includes said screw gear and said plunger; wherein said twist cap has said locking mechanism and said drive assembly together in functional combination; and wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system includes said head assembly, said body, and said twist cap together in functional combination to provide a means by which to brush teeth using a toothbrush that dispenses toothpaste.
 2. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said twist cap rotates freely within said locking receiver.
 3. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said driving assembly couples to and drives said driven assembly.
 4. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said driven assembly drives said screw gear.
 5. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said screw gear drives said plunger axially through said hollow chamber.
 6. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said neck assembly includes multiple transparent viewing windows.
 7. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles are affixed to said head assembly.
 8. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristles protrude through said plurality of openings.
 9. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 8, wherein said plurality of bristles are affixed to a floating bar.
 10. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 9, wherein said floating bar is sealed against said plurality of holes by toothpaste pressure within said toothpaste chamber.
 11. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 9, wherein said floating bar is forced against said plurality of openings by compression springs for forming a seal between said floating bar and said plurality of openings.
 12. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 9, wherein said floating bar is sealed against said plurality of holes via o rings on said bristles.
 13. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said hollow chamber accommodates a toothpaste cartridge.
 14. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system is a complete, non-refillable assembly intended for one-time use.
 15. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said head assembly is sold separately for replacing due to wear and alternately for health and cleanliness reasons.
 16. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of openings comprise a flexible gate for enabling toothpaste to pass and venting to occur when pressure is applied from within said toothpaste chamber while returning to a sealed state for keeping said toothpaste from hardening once pressure equalizes.
 17. A disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system, the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system comprising: a head assembly having; a toothpaste chamber; a plurality of bristles; a plurality of openings; a neck assembly including; a receptacle; and a hollow passageway; a body assembly having; at least one sealed, transparent viewing window; a connection mechanism; a hollow chamber; a rotating assembly including; a screw gear having; a driven assembly; a plunger; a locking receiver; a twist cap including; a locking mechanism and; a drive assembly; wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system includes said head assembly, said body, and said twist cap together in functional combination; wherein said head assembly and said body are removably couplable via said receptacle and said connection mechanism; wherein said body assembly and said twist cap are removably couplable via said locking mechanism and said locking receiver; wherein said head assembly includes said toothpaste chamber, said plurality of bristles, said plurality of openings, and said neck assembly together in functional combination; wherein said neck assembly includes, said receptacle, and said hollow passageway together in functional combination; wherein said body assembly has said at least one sealed, transparent viewing window, said connection mechanism; said hollow chamber, said rotating assembly, and said locking receiver together in functional combination; wherein said rotating assembly includes said screw gear and said plunger; wherein said twist cap has said locking mechanism and said drive assembly together in functional combination; wherein said twist cap rotates freely within said locking receiver; wherein said driving assembly couples to and drives said driven assembly; wherein said driven assembly drives said screw gear; wherein said screw gear drives said plunger axially through said hollow chamber; wherein said plurality of bristles are affixed to said head assembly; wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system is a complete, non-refillable assembly intended for one-time use; and wherein said disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system includes said head assembly, said body, and said twist cap together in functional combination to provide a means by which to brush teeth using a toothbrush that dispenses toothpaste.
 18. The disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method for using a disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system, the method comprising the steps of: filling the disposable toothpaste dispensing toothbrush system; twisting twist cap; dispensing toothpaste via the rotating assembly, driven assembly, screw gear, and plunger; and brushing teeth.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: refilling a hollow chamber with said toothpaste; and replacing a head assembly when worn or for cleanliness and health. 